Amethyst

Although this type of feldspar takes its popular name from the Amazon Basin where it was first thought to be jade, amazonite has been widely used for thousands of years. This gemstone’s older name, microcline, comes from the Greek words micro for small and klino meaning tilt.

It is suspected that this second word was associated with it because of the shape of its crystals. Amazonite was used for jewelry in Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and the Sudan as early as 2000 B.C.E. It was included among the gemstones found in King Tutankhamun’s tomb. While the Egyptians used this gemstone widely for amulets, tablets of amazonite have been found with part of The Egyptian Book of the Dead engraved upon them. In pre-Columbian Central and South America, amazonite was used for personal adornment. 

 

 

 

 

 

Ancient Assyrians and Amazonite
Ancient Assyrians believed amazonite was the gemstone of their god, Belus, and used it in sacred rituals. Amazonite is useful to disperse negative energy. It is also emotionally soothing and can aid in communication with a lover. It inspires openness, trust and honor.

Colors: - Green, blue-green
Associations - Virgo; heart and throat chakras; yin
Uses - self-cultivation; partner/relationships; disperse negativity